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2002 vintage report for Beechworth (Victoria)

Beechworth enjoyed a successful ripening season, albeit one of the coolest in 10 years. After an extremely dry winter, the four summer rains which totalled about 30 mm, were a delight.
Of the mature vineyards, tonnages were average to slightly below, partly due to the drought-like conditions of the last year (and some vineyards running out of water), the cool summer, a very windy fruitset and flowering period and the patchy effect of the frost. A frost on 22 October hit a few vineyards, with 40% reduction in crop reported, but only in a couple of places.
Due to the cool summer, the general harvest started three weeks behind last year and two weeks behind normal. This has allowed, however, good flavour development and excellent natural acids. The whites are all very tight, a characteristic of the cool year and higher acids, but the flavours are ripe and perhaps subtle. The potential is for excellent cool climate style whites across the district.
The sparkling wine base was picked this year at higher Baume than normal due to the high acids and the reserved nature of the flavours. The aromatic whites are particularly pungent. Chardonnay will be made across the district in what may turn out to be very fine Chablis-style. The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon will have obvious varietal flavours and will be very crisp. Those with late ripening Rhône varieties have waited for full ripeness and are happy with the result.
The reds generally are very good, as the dry autumn allowed growers to leave fruit on the vine until flavour developed, and few wines will appear overly alcoholic.